Photo: Glencoe High rising senior Camryn Blackwell lines up a shot during the AHSAA North/South All-Stars girls golf competition last Monday (July 19) in Montgomery. (Submitted photo)
By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor
Soggy conditions did not put a damper on Camryn Blackwell’s special day on the links earlier this week in Montgomery.
The Glencoe High rising senior participated in the AHSAA North/South All-Stars girls golf competition last Monday (July 19) at Arrowhead Country Club.
In a six-hole match format with each hole worth one point, Blackwell and North partner Macie Henderson of Mars Hill Bible came up short to McGill-Toolen’s Jordyn Martin and Homewood’s Aidan Haithcock, 3.5 to 1.5. The South team won overall, 19.5 to 16.5.
Due to the inclement wea-ther, Blackwell got to play only five holes.
“I actually was doing pretty good,” she said. “I was about two over [par] and was playing the best I’d had for a long time, especially for the poor conditions. So I was disappointed when they called it.
“But it was a big honor to be there, and I’m so happy I went. I got to see all my golf friends [from the North team] who lived far away, and I got to make some new friends [from the South team].”
Blackwell was particularly excited to have Henderson as a partner.
“I absolutely love Macie to death; she is so funny. I knew her but I never got to play with her, so it was a lot of fun.”
Although Blackwell herself had never played low-ball until the all-star event, she had seen others play the format at Twin Bridges in Gadsden, where she works.
“All of the older gentlemen there play low-ball, so I’ve seen it. It was different but it was very fun. I liked that you didn’t have a lot of pressure on you and you could rely on your partner.”
Blackwell was also impressed by the facility at Arrowhead, which is located east of I-65 and north of I-85.
“The course was flat and really beautiful. For the five holes I played, the greens were pretty nice.”
Blackwell was appreciative that she was one of only 24 golfers from across the state selected to play in the all-star event.
“I’m very thankful and I’m also very proud of myself, because I’ve worked very hard to get to this point. It was a little sad that I couldn’t finish, but that’s okay because now I can work hard for my senior season.”
Soon to be a six-year starter for the Lady Yellow Jackets, Blackwell finished runner-up at sectionals and fourth in the substate playoffs this past season. COVID-19 cancelled most of her sophomore year but she came in third at the Class 3A state tournament as a freshman.
Although she was the lone member of the GHS girls golf team in 2021, she played with the boys team on a few occasions and acquitted herself well.
“One of the matches was at Briarmeade with the Hokes Bluff boys, and I actually won. The next day we had a match at Silver Lakes, and I won that one, too.”
“I’m proud for Camryn,” said GHS golf coach Joey Sims. “She was the only girl on the team this year, so it was kind of tough on her to play by herself most of the time. So I’m glad she got this opportunity to be recognized.”